Answers

Q:

My cousin (who isn't married) says she doesn't believe in saving anything to take care of herself when she gets old, because the Lord will take care of her and provide for her needs. Is this what the Bible teaches?

A:

The Bible certainty urges us to put our trust in God instead of money, because God will never let us down — but money will. The Bible tells people “not to… put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17).

But this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t save for the future, or that we can neglect planning for our latter years. After all, if we don’t provide for our own needs as we grow older, then someone else will have to — and we may find ourselves in very difficult circumstances. Trusting God doesn’t mean ignoring His provision for us right now.

I know this is a complicated matter, and not everyone is able to save for the future (especially in this economy). But the Bible urges us not to be lazy, but to be as diligent and thrifty as possible — not only to provide for our futures, but also so we can support God’s work. It says, “Go to the ant… consider its ways and be wise!… It stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest” (Proverbs 6:6, 8).

On the other hand, don’t become so preoccupied with money that you leave God out of your life. Someday you’ll die and leave everything behind, but are you prepared for that day? Remember Jesus’ words: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy…. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-20).